In 1995, the case of Cane v. Worcester County, Maryland was taken to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals. The case began when plaintiffs alleged that the election system used by Worcester County was illegal under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The county used a winner-take-all, at-large, which the plaintiffs claimed diluted minority voting strenght. The trial court ruled for the plaintiffs, finding that the current elections system did violate Section 2.

When the case was taken to the Fourth Circuit, FairVote submitted an amicus brief supporting the use of cumulative voting in the county. FairVote argued that cumulative voting was a legal and appropriate remedy for the Section 2 violation.

In Detroit, there have been three mayors in the past two years and the current one has come under scrutiny. Perhaps a system like instant runoff voting will help bring political stability to motor city.